This Wheel's on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band by Levon Helm, Stephen Davis Summary and Reviews
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Book Reviews of This Wheel's on Fire: Levon Helm and the Story of the Band
Book Review: Laughed out loud!!!!
Summary: 5 Stars
Although Levon Helm's anger very apparent this is one of the funniest books I've read. His story telling is great.Book Review: the book of the band
Summary: 3 Stars
i would have liked to have seen a contribution by robbie included and some reflection from richard. levon's time away is moved thru too quickly when he was away. i would have liked to have read more detail of his life away from music. i enjoyed the criticism of neil diamond which everyone always had of his appearance in the last waltz.Book Review: If You're A Fan of The BAND, There's No Doubt...
Summary: 5 Stars
...you must read this book.Levon's down-home personality floods every page, and makes you wish you'd known him and his family growing up. Honestly, I probably enjoyed the chapters about his childhood as much or more than the chapters about being in one of my favorite groups--The Band.
There are some self-serving moments, but hey, they're illuminating too! Check out how casually Levon dismisses his own drug addiction in the early 70s, and completely ignores the fact that THAT might have contributed to the rift between the rest of them and Robbie (Rick and Richard were addicts too). He blames the rift primarily on Robbie's receiving most of the writing credits, but if everybody else was strung-out, SOMEBODY needed to write the songs!!! Oh yeah, and Levon devotes a few paragraphs too many to an incident in which Ronnie Hawkins claimed that Levon had a large genital appendage...not really the sort of information I was looking for... Apparently these guys were knee-deep in the hedonistic lifestyle too, but Levon doesn't much go into that...which is probably for the best.
And oh boy, there are shades to the relationship between Robbie Robertson and Levon Helm that go far beyond what I previously realized...after reading this, you'll NEVER watch "The Last Waltz" the same way again. Man, oh man! Robbie comes off as less than likable, to put it kindly. And I gotta say, this isn't just a one-sided account, because Rick is quoted extensively too. Seems like money and fame can really wreck the best of friendships. Here's how.
If you'd prefer to think of the Band as a bunch of kindly guys who simply had fun recording good albums, you might want to stay away from this book! But if you'd like to see what sort of stuff was going on behind the scenes, and what fuels the continuing bitterness between the surviving members, or if you want to know more about Richard Manuel's untimely death, this book is your best source.
Book Review: this wheels on fire
Summary: 5 Stars
Levon Helms story of the band is more american history than just a rock and roll war story . he spins a tale that takes you to the delta and all over our world . he is the best rock and roll drummer in the world , i know because he is my drummer , im dad nud of the last hombres featuring levon helmBook Review: Levon Helm's On Fire (With Anger)
Summary: 4 Stars
An excellent, detailed account of the formation and destruction of one of the greatest rock and roll bands in history. Three words for Levon Helm - 'Get over it'.